The strong safety has a vital role on any football team. His primary responsibility is providing support on running plays. But it's not enough for the strong safety to come up from the secondary and make a tackle once the back makes it through the line of scrimmage. He must come up and make hard-hitting tackles and knock the ball loose when he gets the chance. In pass coverage, the strong safety is responsible for stopping deep plays and tackling the receiver after he gets hit.
Step 1
Assess the formation at the line of scrimmage. You will see certain keys that will tell you whether your opponent is planning to run or pass. For example, if your opponent has two running backs in the back field and the wide receivers are in tight to the line of scrimmage, a run is likely. This will tell you that you will likely be running in and stopping a running play. If your opponent is using two wideouts, a slot receiver and a tight end, a pass is likely.
Step 2
Keep your eye on your opponent's primary running back. You will be running in to hit him, but you will try to force the ball out of his hands if you get the opportunity. If your teammates have grabbed the back and are holding him up, you can hit drive your shoulder into the football in an attempt to force a fumble.
Step 3
Cover the tight end in passing situations. A strong safety is not expected to cover the fastest wide receivers. However, you are expected to apply physical coverage to the tight end and the running backs who run patterns out of the backfield. Make sure you are near the receiver once he gets his hands on the ball so you can apply a forceful hit that drops him on the spot or knocks the ball out for an incomplete pass.
Step 4
Get as deep as the deepest receiver on long pass plays. Your cornerbacks will need your supports on deep coverage. While they have primary coverage responsibilities, you have to be in the spot where the deep pass will end up. This will allow you to intercept the ball or knock it away.
Step 5
Pressure the quarterback hard when the defensive coordinator calls the safety blitz. This might happen two or three times per game, and it is a gamble by your coach. If you can't sack him, bat the pass down or pressure him as he throws, it is likely a gamble that will result in a big play for the offense.
Member Comments